Security Council Experts Stress Need to Curb Arms Smuggling to Houthis

Armed Houthi followers carry their rifles as they attend a gathering to show support for the militias in Sanaa, Yemen December 19, 2018. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
Armed Houthi followers carry their rifles as they attend a gathering to show support for the militias in Sanaa, Yemen December 19, 2018. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
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Security Council Experts Stress Need to Curb Arms Smuggling to Houthis

Armed Houthi followers carry their rifles as they attend a gathering to show support for the militias in Sanaa, Yemen December 19, 2018. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
Armed Houthi followers carry their rifles as they attend a gathering to show support for the militias in Sanaa, Yemen December 19, 2018. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

In its most recent report to the UN Security Council, the UNSC sanctions committee on Yemen briefed the international body about Houthi involvement in sexual violence, especially against women who oppose their movement.

The 51-page report also sheds light on the continued weapons trafficking to Houthis in the war-torn country. Moreover, it exposes the Iran-backed group’s continued recruitment of child soldiers in areas under its control.

It included data and statistics on the military, political and economic conditions and the violations committed by the Houthi militia during the past year, especially in the Marib Governorate and the West Coast.

It also touched on the developments of the Stockholm Agreement and the Riyadh Agreement.

In the report, the committee accuses Houthis of committing violations against residents of areas under their control and preventing the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement from carrying out its work.

The summary of the report stated that Houthi militias continue to push their systematic campaign to force the population to adhere to their ideology, including organizing summer and cultural camps and training courses for adults and children.

The report emphasized that the Houthi policy of inflicting sexual violence continued, as did the repression against women and political activists, even after the death of Houthi official Sultan Zabin, who was primarily responsible for sexual abuse in the group’s prisons.

In addition, the report highlighted continued hostilities by Houthi militias. These acts of violence include the launching of ballistic missiles and drones.

According to the report, most types of drones and short-range missiles are assembled in Houthi-controlled areas using locally available as well as commercial materials, such as engines and electronics, which are obtained from abroad using a complex network of intermediaries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Finally, the committee recommended that the UNSC calls on member states to intensify efforts to combat weapons smuggling to Yemen.



Syrian Government Forces Set to Re-enter Sweida Province

FILE PHOTO: Members of Syrian security forces walk on a road in Sweida countryside, as vehicles transporting other Syrian security forces make their way out of the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of Syrian security forces walk on a road in Sweida countryside, as vehicles transporting other Syrian security forces make their way out of the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo
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Syrian Government Forces Set to Re-enter Sweida Province

FILE PHOTO: Members of Syrian security forces walk on a road in Sweida countryside, as vehicles transporting other Syrian security forces make their way out of the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of Syrian security forces walk on a road in Sweida countryside, as vehicles transporting other Syrian security forces make their way out of the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo

Renewed clashes broke out overnight between Druze armed groups and members of Bedouin clans in southern Syria, and government forces were preparing to deploy again to the area Friday after pulling out under a ceasefire agreement that halted several days of violence earlier this week, officials said.

Government security forces agreed with some of the Druze factions that they would re-enter the area to impose stability and protect state institutions, according to two Syrian officials who spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Syrian government forces had largely pulled out of the Druze-majority southern province of Sweida after days of clashes.